Unlike orthopedic operations, soft tissue surgeries do not target parts of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems, such as bones and joints. Signs that there may be a soft tissue issue that needs to be addressed include abnormal lumps, painful ears, problems urinating, and vomiting and/or weight loss. Soft tissue surgeries encompass a variety of operations that range from head and neck procedures to neurosurgeries and surgical oncology.
Veterinary oncology is a medical specialty that diagnoses and treats cancer in animals. The practice, which involves treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, attempts to maximize the quality of life of an animal with cancer. Oncology can be further divided surgical and radiation oncology. While surgical oncology involves the removal of cancerous tumors via surgery, radiation oncology treats cancer cells through the application of high-energy radiation.